If there was one swing problem that was common among most
struggling golfers it is keep the weight back on the back foot
during the downswing.
If there was one swing problem that was common among most struggling golfers it is keep the weight back on the back foot during the downswing. Let’s look at hitting a golf ball with a little common sense. The ball is on the ground and you want it to go forward, so it makes sense that you want your power to be pushing the same direction that you want the ball to go. If you want the ball to go forward then push the weight off your back foot towards the front foot to achieve this.
All you have to do is look at other sports. A quarterback steps into the throw to heave a tight spiral downfield. You here commentators often say that a quarterback got that ball intercepted because he “threw of his back foot” and therefore didn’t have much velocity on the ball. A pitcher in baseball pushes off the mound to deliver that fastball. Could you imagine how fast he could throw if his back leg was planted and he didn’t push off the mound? Certainly not near the 90 mph that they throw using there legs.
So when you are over the ball next time, concentrate on pushing off the inside of your back foot so your weight travels to the front leg during impact. This will cause you to finish with all your weigh over your front foot and that’s were it should be when you are done.
Don DeLorenzo is a PGA-certified instructor at Gilroy Golf Course. To schedule a lesson with Don, call Gilroy GC at (408) 848-0490.
